Block system



15 1927' M. H. LOUGHRIDGE BLOCK SYSTEM Original Filed May 8, 1920 PATENTO FFICE.

MATTHEW H. LOUGHRIDGE, 0F IBOGOTA, NEW JERSEY.

BLOCK SYSTEM.

Application filed May 8, 1920, Serial N0 379,708. Renewed December 22, 1923.

This invention relates to railroads and particularly to block system for railroads and has for its object to provide a block system without moving elements on the track; a system in which block lengths can be varied with comparatively little expense; a system that can be easily adapted to varying conditions of grades and curves: a system that is adapted for automatically controlling cars or locomotives by operating controlling glements in the cars themselves and a system that may be adapted for traffic in either direction. Other objects will appear fromthe'following specification and drawings in which Fig. 1 shows a track layout using this invention and operated by direct current. Fig. 2 is a corresponding track layout operated by three phase alternating current. Fig.3 shows the car wiring for operation in connection with Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 shows the car wiring which may be used in connection with Fig. 2.

' This invention may be used for" an automatic carrier system such as described in U. S. Patent 1,381,317, issued June 14, 1921,

' or it may be used as a block system for controlling standard railroad equipment.

This invention consists in providing on the track aforward'block wire and a rear block wire extending throughout the length of each block; a contacting device is carried on the cars making contact independently with each of these block wires, The forward block wire controls a relay on the car which, in turn, controls the power to the car and determines, according to the conditions of the block, whether the car shall proceed or stop. The rear block wire transmits an effect from the car to the block in the rear for the purpose of controlling cars in the 'rear block. The arrangement is such that the rear block wire for one block becomes the forward block Wire for the .next block.

in the rear and the limit of each block is determined simply by changing the function of these wires. These wires are placed on either side of the centre line of the track and their function is changed by' crossing overthe centre line of the track. The rear block wire through the forward block wire thus controls the controlling relay on the car in the rear block, thereby cutting off its energy and causing the brakes to be applied.

ieferring to Fig. 1, 11 and 12 are \the track rails; 13 represents the power conductor fed from the generator 16 through. the

a, b, 0, cl, e and f. The rear block wire is indicated by 31 and the forward block wire by 32. At the termination of the block, the rear block wire and the forward block wire are connected by jumper 33.

nection with this layoutas shown in Fig. 3, has contact shoes 61, 62 and 63, making contact, respectively with wires 31, 13 and 32, Contact 62 energizes polarized relay 65 by connection 78 and ground connection 77 to rail 12, also by connection 78 and contact 79 of relay 64 deenergized, and wires 80 and 81, field coil- 67 of motor 66 is energized; also by wire 82 from contact 79 and contact 83 of polarized relay 65, wire 85, armature 66, wire 86, contact 84 of polarized relay 65 and wire 77 to rail 12, the propulsion motor 66 is energized to drive car in a definite direction.

Vh'en switch 17 is reversed changing po larity of power conductor 13, the contact fingers of polarized relay 65 are changed to the opposite position. 1 This will cause the propulsion motor 66 to run in the reverse direction by reversing the current to the field coil 67 with relation to the current in the armature 66. This can be traced through wire 82, contact 83 reversed, wire 86, motor armature 66, wire85, contact 84 reversed and wire 77 to rail 12, thus maintaining a constant current to the armature while the current to the field coil is reversed by switch 17, causing motor to run in reverse direction.

Contact 63 connecting with the forward block wire controls block relay 64 by connection 71, contact finger 73, wire 75, relay 64, wires 76 and 77 to rail 12. Hence if the forward block wire is energized relay 64 will be energized opening contact 79 and thereby cutting off the power from the operating motor 66. Inaddition, the circuit of brake magnet 68 is established through contact '79 and wires 88 and 89; brushes of with the rear block wire by connection 72 and contact 74 of polarized relay 65 connects to battery 69 and to ground by wire 77. It

The locomotive or car wiring used in con-.

34 may tance corresponding to will be noted, therefore,- that with olarized V will be a margin of safety on this braking relay in the position shown an contact 61 connecting with wire 31 and contact 63 connecting w1th wire 32, a car for instance in block 6 will energize wire 31, also wire 32 in block d will be energized. Now another car entering block fd will pick up current from the forward block wire 32, thereby energizing relay 64 cutting off power from this car and applying the brakes until the car in block 6 passes into block f. As soon as block 6 is cleared wires 31 and 32 are de-energized and the car in block cl can proceed in the usual way. This condition is maintained throughout each block.

If the polarity in conductor 13 is changed so that the position of polarized relay 65 is changed, this will automatically change around the functionsof contacts 61 and 63 and while the car proceeds in the opposite direction the block system will function in the proper manner. In this case contact 61 by connection 72, contact 74 and wire controls the blockrelay 64 while contact 63 by wire 71 and contact 73 connects with battery 69. Hence in running in the opposite direction wire 32 becomes the rear block wire and wire 31 becomes the forward block wire so that the system automatically adapts itself to cars running in either direction without change in the arrangement of the track apparatus.

By this arrangement it will be noted that the termination of a block is accomplished simply by jumping the rear and forward block wires'together which, in the layout, are placed on opposite sides of the power conductor. It is therefore, inexpenslve .to increase or decrease the number or len ths of block to any extent desired. 1V oreover, these blocks may be varied manually or by any other means desired. For instance, the double pole, double throw switch be used for this purpose. WVhen in the position shown the blocks 6 and 0 are connected together as one unit by wires 35 and 36 connecting to wires 31 of each block and wires 37 and 38 connecting to wire 32 of each block. When this switch is reversed these connections are opened and jumper 39 connects wire 32 of block fb with wire 31 of block 0 which corresponds to the arrange- "ment of the other blocks.

It will be noted that the end of the rear block wire and the end of the forward block wire are placed in staggered relation across the track, the jumper 33 being obliquely shown on this account. The amount of this stagger is indicated byw and amounts to an overlap on the block system. For instance, a car must enter the next block a disa; before it will clear the forward block wire 32 of the block preceding the last succeeding block. If, therefore, the actual braking distance is represented by the length of block shown there shown in this layout to prevent complicatlon of cars entering the main track from a branch track.

The three phase generator 20 feeds the power conductors 14 and 15 through the pole changing switch 21 by connections 23 and 24. The third phase is obtained from connection 22 to rail 11. Since this arrangement is designed to work on the closed circuit principle the block wire is maintained energized toestablish running conditions and is de-energized by the presence 'of a car in the block ahead. The transformer 41 having a primary connected by wires 43 and 44 to the power mains 14 and 15 feeds the rear block wire 31 of each block thus maintaining this wire and the. forward block wire normally energizedl The car wiring as shown 111 Fig. 4 has contacts 91, 92, 93 and 94 connecting respectively with wires 32, 15, 14 and 31, contacts 92 and 93 connecting to power wires 15 and 14 operate the three phase propulsion motor 108 by connections 98 and 99 contacts 101 and 102 of block relay 100 andwires 104 and 105 to motor 108, the third phase being obtained through wire 116 which grounds to rail 12 through wheel 118. Direction in which cars will run is determined by the phase relation in wires 14 and 15 which is controlled by switch 21. Hence, if switch 21 is reversed, motor 108 will run in the reverse direction driving the car in the re- 96 and wire 117 controls block relay 100 which connects to ground on wire 116. Thus while the forward block wire is energized relay 100 is energizedclosing contacts 101 and 102 and maintaining the power of motor 108. On the other hand, when the forward block wire is deenergized, block relay 100 is de-energized cutting off the power of motor-108 and energizing'brake magnet operated by the direct current motor 109 on the shaft motor 108 through connection 110, contact 103 of relay deenergized, wire 111, field 112 of motor 109, wire 113, brake magnet and wire 11410 motor armature. In order to prevent cars from creeping forward on a grade, an additional brake magnet 107 is provided. In thls magnet the brake is applied bya spring action and is held released by the propulsion cur rent from wires 98 and 99 through contacts 101 and '102 to relay 100 and wires 104 and 106 to brake magnet. Hence, when the block relay is de-energized this brake is entering the rear block tothe de-energized,

thereby stopping the car until-- the block ahead is cleared.

Then the system is changed forreverse running, arrangements are made inthe car' wiring to change about the function of contacts 91 and 94, thus making the block system effective ina similar manner to that -describ'ed in connectionwith'Fig. 1. For

'vicled having an armature whic 95 isv proswings according to the phase relation in wires 14 ahd 15 and corresponds, to the operation of the this purposeia poly-phase rela polarized 'relay'65." Withswitch 21- reversed,

contact '91 through connection 119, contact finger 9,6 reversed and wire 116 is grounded on rail 12, and contact 94 through connection '120 contact finger 97 reversed and wire 117 controls block relay 100. QVhen running reversed therefore, contact 91 grounds Wire 32 thereby grounding'transformer 41 and preventing block relay in a following car in thenext block from being energized. It will be noted that the transformer 41 isenergized through the power' wires 14 and 15. If

' therefore, a phase is lost this transformer will be de-ener'gized causing an eiie'ct equi-va-j lent to a car in the block.

When cars are running on the main track as closely as the capacity of the block system will permit, it is; desirable that cars T from connecting. tracks should not conflict with those on the main track. For thispurpose the cars on the main track are arranged'to' block cars on the connecting track in rear-of the connectingswitch A, for instance, in Fig. 2, and, on the other hand, when the car.-

on the connectin track proceeds to the main track it bloc scars on the main track approaching the switchgf For this purpose the forward block wire'--for}'bl ock.b is conv trolled by relay 50throu-gh wire 55, contact- 51 and wire 5.4 connectin to the rear block .wire 31 of block 0. Wit .acaninblock f wire 31 is grounded,izrelayf;5(ii connectin by wires 52 and 53 betweeli tliisIwir$an track' 12 is tie-energized anararwarablqek wire 32 for block b is 'grounded 0011-. nection 56 to rail 11.- Hei1ce', 'a car inthe main track is stopped on b1ock"b .-whi1e a; car is approaching-from connecting i-tra'ck block a grounds wire '31 which ole-energizes relay 45 connected by wires 48 and 49 between this wire and track 11. This in turn .de-energizes the forward block wire 32 in block g by disconnecting transformer 42 through contact 46 and wire 47 thereby holding a car in-this block-while a car occupies block a on the main line. 7

-It will be observed that this arrangement provides a block system which permits of the utmost capacity in the track without increasing the expense provides for most of the apparatus 011' the cars where it can be easily inspected and can be readily adaptedto conditions-of railroad service either as an automatic carrier or as ablock system for controlling trains on a standard "railroad. Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1

l. A block system for a railway track operated automatically, comprising a forward blockwire'and a rear block wire extending along said track and dividing said trackinto blocks, a continuous power wire on said track, cars running on said track operated in multiple circuit from said wire, means included in each car coacting. with- .said' block wires, without the co-operation of moving devices located on the track, for automatically cuttingolf the power to: said cars when they come within a predetermined ated in multiple circuit from said power wire, a relay in each car arranged to apply and cut-ofi the power tosaid cars, said .relay controlled by one of said block wires distanceof cars ahead and for automatically and means in said cars controlling the other of. said block wires to operate said relay in another car, saidmeans controlling said cars without the coo-operation of moving devices located on the track.

3. A block system for railways including .a track, a forward and a rear block wire on said track dividing said track into blocks, 7

said forward block wire connected to the rear block wire "of the adjoiningv block, a power wireon sa d track, a transformer connected with said power wire energizing. one of said block wires, cars on said.

track havinga controlling device operated by the energy in said block wire, said device, when energized, permitting said car to proceed and when deenergized retarding said car.

4; A block system in block. f. 011 the. otherhand, a car "inoperated automatically, comprising a forfor a railway track 139 ward block wire in one-vertical plane and a rear block wire in a different- Vertical plane extending along said trackand dividing said track into blocks, a continuous power wire on said track, cars on said track operated in multiple circuit from said power wire, a shoe on said cars connecting with. said foiward block wire and another shoe connect ing with said rear block wire, said forward block wire establishing conditions permitting said cars to proceed and said rear block wire controlling the movement of a following car.

5. A block system including a railway track, a forward and a rear block wire dividing said track into blocks and energized when theblock is clear, a cpntinuous power wire on said track, cars on said track operated in multiple circuit from said power wire and controlled by said block wires and 'm eans on each car for grounding one of said block wires to the rail of the track. 6. A block system for railways including a track, a forward and a rear block wire on said track dividing saidtrack into blocks,

" said forward block wire connected to'the rear block wire of the adjoining block,

means for connecting current to said wires,

said forward block wire connected to the,

rear block wire of the 1 adjoining block, means for connectlng current to said wires,

' a three phase power system "on said track,

- cars operated by said three phase power system, a controlling device on said cars responsive to the condltlo'n of sald block wires, means for changing the directionof movement of said cars by ,cl1anging the phase relation of said .power system and means 'on said cars automatically adjusting the block' system to the-direction of movement' of said cars.

8} A block system forrailways including a track, a forward and a rear block wire on said track dividing said track into blocks,- said forward block wire permanently connected to the rear block wire of the adjoin-- ing block, means for energizing one of said a and a connecting track,a forward and a block wires, cars on said track having means of propulsion and means whereby said cars can proceed only when said block wire' is energized. j a

9. A block system including a railway track, a plurality of block wires dividing said track into blocks, cars on said track having abraki'ng system and a powersystem, means on said cars co-operat-ing with each of said block wires without the co-op eration of moving devices located on the track for applying the power and for releasing the braking system'on said cars.

10. A block system including a railway track, a plurality of block wires dividing said track into blocks, a continuous power wire onsaid track, carsrunning in either direction on said track operated in multiple circuit from 'saidpower wire, a device on said cars responsive to the-current in said block wires, meansincluding said power wire for controlling the direction of running of said cars, said block wires maintaining the spacing of said cars when running in either direction.

11. A block system mcluding a track, a I

plurality of block wires dividingsaidtrack 'into blocks, cars on said track each having a propulsion and braking system, means on said cars co-operating independently with each of said bloclf wires, one of said block wires-when energized releasing the braking system on said cars without the co-operation of moving devices on the track and the other of said wires correspondingly controlling a car in the rear.

12. A block system including a railway track, cars running on said track and each havfng' a propulsion and braking system, block wires dividing said track into blocks and controlling, without the co-operation of moving devices on the track, said propulsion and braking system and means for making said braking-systemefi'ective when said pro- 1 puls'on system is deenergized.

13. A block system including a railway track, cars running on said track and each having a propulsion and braking system, blockwires dividing said track into blocks and controlling said propulsion and braking system without the vco-operat'on' of. moving devices on the track and means for operating said braking system by the momentum of said vcar when saidpropulsion system is deener ized." Y

14. block system having a ,track', cars running on said track, each having a ropulsion and a braking system, a block 'wire dividng-said track into blocks controlling said propulsion and braking system'without the co-operation of movingidevices on the a track and means for operating said braking system automatically when said propulsion system is deenergized.

15. A block system including ama'n track rear block wire extending along each of said tracks and dividing said tracks into blocks, said forward block wire connected to the rear block wire of the adjoining block, a

responsive tov current .in vsaid block wires tracks varies said block connections on the other track.

- 16; A block'system including a railway track, a plurality of block wires dividin said track into blocks, cars running on sa1 track and controlled by said block wires, means for changing the running direction of said cars and means in said cars for automatically adjusting the control of said block system to the particular direction of running establishe 17. A block system including a railway track, a block wire on each side of the centre line of said track, cars running on said track and controlled said block wires, a propulsion wire on said track for driving said cars, and means located on said cars and associated with said propulsion wire for automatically controlling the running direc tion of said cars; c s 18. A block-system including a railway track, a block wire on each side ofthe centre line of said track, cars running on said track controlled by said block wires, a propulsion wire controlling the running direction of said cars and means in-said cars co-actlng with said propulsion wire for automatically adjusting said blocksystem to the established direction of running.

19. In a block system includin a track, the combination of a plurality of block wires dividing said track into blocks, cars running on said track by electric propulsion, a po larized relay on said cars responding to the power current for said cars, said relay controlling said block wires and said block wires controlling the spacing of said cars on said track.

20. A block system including a track, a plurality of block wires dividing said track into blocks, a power wire on said track energized by current having a partlcular char.- acteristic, cars running on said track and operated by current from said power wire, a relay on said cars correspondlng to the characteristics ofsaid current, said relay controlling said block wires and sad block wires controlling the spacing-of said cars on said track.

21. A block system including a track, a plurality of block wires dividing said track into blocks, a continuous power wire on said track, cars running on said track and operated in multiple circuit by current from said power wire, a relay on said cars energized directly by said power wlre, sald relay controlling said block wires and said block wires controlling the spacing of said cars on said track.

22. A block system including a track, a plurality-of block wires dividing said track into blocks, a power Wire on said track energized by current having a particular characteristic, cars running on said track and operated by current from said power wire,

a relay on said cars responsive to the char- 1 acteristicsof said current, a switch on the track for changing said characteristic said relay controlling said block wires and said block wires controlling the spacing of said cars on said track.

23. A block system including a track, a. I

plurality of block wires dividing said track into blocks, a power wire on Said track, cars running on said track and operated by current from said power wire,-a relay on said cars directly energized by said power wire, said relay controlling said block wires, means on the track including said power wire for controlling the running direction of said cars, and said block system controlling the spacing of said cars when running'in either direction.

24, A block system including a track, a forward and. a rear block wire on said track dividing said track into blocks, a continuous power wire on said track, cars running on said track, a block relay on said cars responsive to said block wires, a powen relay on said cars responsive to the current in said trolling the operation of said block relay by said block wires and said block wires controlrin'g the spacing-of said cars on-said trac 25. A block system for railways including a track, a forward and a rear blockwire j contiguous power wire, said power relay con- I dividing said track into blocks, said forward block wire connected to the rear block wire of the adjoiningblock, cars on said track having means of propulsion and a normally energized device controlling said propulsion means, and means including said block system whereby a car on the block ahead deenergizes said. controlling device on a following car. v 1 is! 27 A block system for railways includin a track, a forward and a rear block wire on said track dividing said track into blocks, said forward block wire connected to the 'rear block wire of the adjoining block, a

three phase power system on said track, cars 7 operated by saidthree phase power system, a controlling device on said cars responsive to said block system and. means whereby said device sets up conditions to retard the propulsion s stem is lost. railways includin progress of said cars when a that a said .28. A bloc system for a track, a plurality of block wires on'sai track, cars on said track having a means of propulsion and a device controlling said pro,- pulsi'on means, said, device controlled by said block wires, a lurality of braking devices on said cars an means whereby o ne\of said braking devices is energized when saidcontrolling device is energized and another braking-device is energized when said controllin device is deenergized.

29. block system for railways includin a track, a plurality of block wires on said track, cars on said. track having ameans of propulsion and a device controlling said 'propulsion means, said device control e -cars and means wherebysaid bralxing device a is held released. by said propulsion means.

31. A block system for railways including a track, a plurality ofblock wires on said.

d by saidblock wires,- a spring operated braking d'e-e system and the other effective by "the absence of current in said w r track, cars on said track having a'means of propulsion and a propulsion motor, a device controlling said motor, said device controlled by said.block wires, a braking device on said cars operated by the dynamic energy from said motor and means whereby said braking device is adapted to be energized when said controlling device is deenergized. s

- 32. A block system for railways includin a track, a plurality of block wires on said track, cars on said track having a means of ropulsion and a propulsion motor, a bloc relay controlling said motor and controlled by said block wires, a braking device on said cars, said block relay, when deenergized, establishing a circuit from said motor to said brakin device,

33. A block system %or railways includin atrack, saidblock system dividing said tracli into blocks, a propulsion system on said track, -cars on said track having means of propulsion and a plurality of braking devices, a device on said cars responsive to said block system and controlling said propulsion system -and means including said device whereby one of said braking devices is made efiectiveby the presence of current in'said propulsion braking device is made propiilsion system. M

MATTHEW .H. LOUGHRI'DGE. 

